Spring-motor



2 Sheets- Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. M. WOODWARD.

SPRING MQTOR.

Patented Nov. 2, 188.6.

' INVENTOR By a'a .dttorneys (No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2..

' W. M. WOODWARD.

SPRING MOTOR.

Patented Nov. 2, 1886.

By is Attornez/s a n' sv E i W n, UNITED STATES PATENT j OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. WOODWARD, OF SUMTEVILLE, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO l JAMES H. CURRY, OF SUMTER COUNTY, AND JOHN L. CARNEY, OF

MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.

SPRING- SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters lf'atentNo. 351,894, dated November 2, 1886.

' Application filed July 12, i886. Serial No. 267,819. (No model.)

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To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, WILLIAM M. WoonwARD, of Sumterville, in the countyof Sumter and' State lof Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Motors,

of which the following is aspecificatiomreference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

My invention relates to means for controlling, directing, and utilizing the force of a seio ries of coiled springs for the propulsion of streetrailroad cars, or other vehicles or earriages upon level or`incliued grades, for the propulsion of light water-craft, and to operate various machinery. 4

My general plan is to have a series of coiled springs capable of `being wound up one at a time, or two or more ata time, or all together, and also capable of expending their force one at a time, or twoor more at a time, or all together, t0 rotate a train of gears, and a driving-Wheel with varying power controllable by an operator according to what may be required in practice.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating '25 my invention, Figure l is a nplan view of my improvements applied to a street-car.. Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views of detached parts, drawn ona larger scale for better illustration, Fig. 2 showing one side of a block, X, in which v3o is a cavity; Fig. 3 showing one side of a springwinding wheel; Fig. 4 showing the other side,

and also an indicator connected therewithg.

Fig. 5. showing a section of one of the gearwheels V on its shaft; Fig. 6 showing a section of one of the loose pinions on its shaft;,Fig. 7 showing a jointed lever and spring, andFig. 8 showing clutch-levers.

Referring to the letters upon the drawings, in aid of a description in detail of my improve- 4o ments in the form illustrated as applied to a 'strectcar,Aindicates the frame of the car; B, the driving-Wheels, and C their axle, all of ordinary construction, the other truck not being illustrated. Y f Y D indicates the spring-winding'shaft carrying sliding clutches E and loose pinions F.

Gr is a beveled gear-wheel upon the end of shaft D, meshing with a beveled pinion, H, upon the rotary shaft I, having` another beveled pinion, K, on its opposite end,`which gears with a. beveled pinion, L, upon a vertical shaft, M, which may be provided with a crank for turning it by hand.

N indicates a series of levers for operating thel clutches upon shaft D.' (See Fig.Y 8.) Each of these levers is connected with a sliding clutch, E, by means of a link, O, and elbow-lever P, pivoted at Q. As each lever is raised, a clutch, E, will be disengaged from a loose pinion, F, and as it is lowered it will be engaged therewith. By this means the pinions F, or any one or more of them, can be at will rigidly fixed to the shaft D, so as to turn therewith. The loose pinions F respectively mesh with the spring-winding wheels R, to which the outer ends of the springs S arcsecu'red by a hook, as shown in Fig. 4, or in any usual or suitable way. The inner ends of the coiled springs are secured by means of a hook, T, as

shown in' Fig. 5, or otherwise, to the hubs U of 7o v gear-wheels V. These gear-wheels V, like the spring-winding wheels R, it should be noted, are loose on the fixed shaft Y, and while the inner ends of the main springs are secured to the hubs ofthe wheels V, and their outer ends are secured to the wheels R, it is practicable to wind up the springs by proper mechanism for turning Wheels R, and then their strain or force will be exerted so as to tend to turn the wheels V, which, being properly geared to other wheels, will communicate the force of the springs to them, and it may thus be utilized to propel a car or drive machinery. The function of the wheels Vis to receive and communicate to other gearing the force of the springs when they are wound up.

Figs. 3 and 4 represent opposite side views of the spring-winding wheels R. In Fig. 3 is illustrated a ratchet-wheel, W, which may be cast integral with or made fast to each wheel R, and placed within a cavity in one side of spring-winding wheel, B, having a pin, c, at

- one end, which passes through a curved slot,

d, in the wheel and projects out on the other side, as indicated in Fig. 4, underneath the outer end ofthe last coil of the spring. Each wheel R is provided with these parts, and each block is provided with notches or ratchet-teeth e. The result is, that as the spring-wheels are wound up the pivoted pawls b will be turned so as to engage at the proper time with one of the notches or ratchet-teeth e in the block X, go prevent the spring from being wound up too f indicates a series of pinions, and g aseries of gear-wheels, each pair being rigidly connected together and loose upon the shaft Z. The pinions f gear with the gear-wheels V, and are driven, as well as the wheels g, by the wheels V.

h indicates a series of pinions loose on the shaft z' and meshing with the wheels g.

k indicates a series of sliding clutches upon the shaft Z, provided with springs l, tending to keep them engaged with the pinionsf.

m indicates aseries of sliding clutches on the shaft i.

a is a series of levers, each connected, by means of link o, elbow-leverp, link q, elbowlever r, link s, and pivoted lever t, with the clutches k and m. Vhen a lever n is raised, it will operate one set of these links and levers, so as to disengage clutch k, forcing back its spring, and engage clutch m. When one of these levers is lowered,one ofthe clutch-springs Zwill cause one clutch k to engage and one clutch m to disengage. XVhenever the clutches k are engaged they prevent the springpower from ruiming down, and whenever they are disengaged the spring-power is transmitted to rotary shaftt' and the gear-wheel u upon its end. This gear-wheel u meshes with a pinion, v, upon a rotary shaft, w, provided with gear-wheels a: y,ixed on said shaft. The wheel rv gears with a pinion, a, loose upon a shaftpin,A2. The pinion z gears with a loose pinion, B2, on the axle C of the driving-wheel B. The wheel y gears with the loose pinion C2 upon the axle C. Between the pinions B2 and C2 is a sliding clutch, D2, adapted to engage with one or the other pinion,aceording to the direction of movement of the car, and thus rigidly connect the pinions, one at a time, with the axle C of the driving-wheel.

E2 is a pull cord or wire passing over a pulley, F2, and connecting with one end of an elbow-lever, G2, pivoted at H2, and engaging with the clutch D2 to operate it.

I2 is a spring, which is fastened at one end to the frame and at the other to'one arm of the elbow-lever G2, tending always to keep the clutch in engagement with the pinion B2. Vhen it is desired to engage the clutch with the pinion C2, it is only necessary to pull the cord E2. The object of this pull-cord and the gearing between shaft w and axle G and the clutch D2 and its shipping mechanism is to reverse the action of the spring-power upon the axle C and'driving-wheels at will, so that the car or machinery being driven may be run in opposite directions at pleasure, and be always subject to the instant control of the attendant or operator.

The sliding clutch D2 is so adjusted between the loose pinions B2 and C2 that it will always partially engage with one before it is entirely disengaged from the other, the shipping always taking place when the machinery is at rest or the car comes to a stop. The object of this adjustment is to prevent the springs from suddenly running down during the shipping operation.

K2 is a sprocket-wheel upon the rotary shaft D, which may be a part of the beveled gearwheel G. L2 is a sprocket-pinion on the rotary shaft M2. N2 is a chain or sprocket belt. O2 is a double sprocket-wheel fixed on the shaft M2, and connected by chain bands, respeetively, with the loose sprocket-pinions P2 on the axle C and Q2 on the iixed pin-shaft B2. All this sprocket-gearing, being of ordinary `construction and well known, is therefore not illustrated in detail, but only in outline diagrammatically, and its construction and operation will be understood without more explanation by all skilled in the art of making and using common and well-known gearing.

S2 is a pinion rigidly connected with the sprocket Q2,and meshing with a loose pinion, T2, on the axle C. Between the sprocket-pinion P2 and the loose pinion T2 is a sliding clutch, U2, provided with an elbow shippinglever, V2, pivoted at \V2, and actuated by a pull-cord, X2, and spring Y2, such as already described, and connected with the opposite end of axle C. The object of this clutch and pinions and sprocket-wheels and bands is to utilize the momentum of a car or machinery to wind up the springs. Normally the clutch U2 stands out of engagementwith the sprocketpinion P2 and loose pinion T2; but when engaged with either one it fixes that one to the axle C. rlhus when the car is running in one direction on a downgrade by force of gravity, bymeans of the pull-cord X2, the clutch can be engaged with the pinion T2 by pulling against the force of the spring Y2. Then by means of the sprockets and their bands motion will be communicated to rotary winding-shaft D,

and one or more of the springs maybe wound up, the action ofthe springs in the meantime having been cut ofi` by means of levers mso that they no longer operate to propel the car or machinery. Again, when it is desired to engage the clutch U2 with sprocket-pinion P2, the cord X2 can be released or lowered, and spring Y2 will engage the clutch with pinion P2. Levers such as shown may be applied to pull cords E2 and X2 to work them, if desired. 3y that means clutches U2 and D2 can be adjusted and placed quickly at will.

It is desirable to have an indicator to show how much each spring is wound. Such a mechanism is shown in Fig. 4, where A3 is a pin on the spring-winding wheel, and B3 a pivoted lever, one arm of which yis in thepath of the pin, and the other of which is connected to a wire or cord, G3, that is attached to the end ofa lever, D3. E3 is a spring, which may be a continuation of the Wire C3, and serves to keep levers B3 and D3 in place, to be operated by'pin A3. Lever D3 is jointed and provided with a spring, F3, pressing on the short piv oted end 'piece or latch G3; (See Fig. 7.) H3 is a toothed wheel connected with an indexpointer, h4, working over a dial with numbers on it (not illustrated) in the ordinary way. Each time the winding-wheel makes a revolution the pin and levers will cause the wheel H3 and the pointer to move the distance of one notch, and thus the degree of winding of the spring may be shown on the dial. The spring E3 will adj ust the levers to place again, and the jointed or latch part G3 of the lever D3 will slip back over one tooth against the force of spring F3, (which should be weaker .than spring 133,) and there assume its place by force of spring F3 behind another tooth, ready for making another push. On the opposite side' of the notched wheel H3 isa similar system of springs and levers, operating in the same Way, in connection each with a gear-wheel, V, provided With a pin, A', as shown in Fig. l. The object of this second system is to operate the indicator when the spring is unwinding. In

Y order to hold the notched wheel and indicator ing in a slot in a plate, L3.

in place securely, I provide a slide, K3, work- 'Ihe slide is'provided with a spring, M3, tending to keep it down in one of the notches of the wheel H3. The spring of this slide is just sufficient for that purpose, andnot strong enough to materially` resist the turning of the notched wheel.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a method of holding the loose pinions in place on their shafts, N3

,. and form no part of my improvement. V

\ a street-car the entire power of a compact of themas may be Wholly or partially unseries of springs can be storedby simply winding them up simultaneously at a station. At the saine time their force can be held so that it will not tend vto move the car. Whenever it is desired-to start, an operator can apply as much force as necessary to start the car, then can cut out or withdraw as much force as it may be proper to dispense with as soon as the car is in motion. When it is desired to stop, the entire force of the springs can be cut ofi" from its propelling action, and the motion of the car utilized to wind up the springs, or such lbe instantly brought into action.

wound, untilthe car stops. If necessary, ordinary brakes may be employed also to effect stop ping. Thenwhenanupgradeoraheavyfload,or both, require the addition of propelling force, more springs, or all of them, if need be, can In going down. grades, all the spring propelling force can be cut oft' and adjustments instantly made, so that thev motion of the car will serve to Wind up one or more springs, or all of the springs that may bc wholly or partially unwound. The same advantages may be had in the propulsion of any other vehicle, or in the. propulsion of small water-craft, or in the running of any machinerysuitable or advantageous to be propelled by spring-motor power.

Many mere changes of form may be introduced in the embodiment of my invention without departing from its substance, and I therefore do not confine my improvements to the forms in` detail illustrated and described.

The spring-winding shaft D may be Wound up by power applied, in any usual manner, through ordinary gearing. For example, the chain belt N 2 may be removed from the sprocket-pinion L2 and applied to a chain-Wheel driven by a stationary engine while it is also upon sp rocket-wheel K".

What I claim to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The combination, with a suitable supporting-frame, of shaft Y and a series of coiled springs and spring-winding wheels thereon, a springwinding shaft, D, and pinions and clutch mechanisms thereon for winding u p the springs, and a train of spring-driven gears and shafts, Z and t', with a series of clutch mechanisms thereon, whereby the springs may be singly or toget-her Wound and their power singly or together expended, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with. a suitablesupporting-frame, of shaftY and a seriesof coiled springs and spring-winding Wheels thereon, a springwinding shaft, D, and pinions and clutch'mechanisms thereon for Winding up the springs, and'a train ofrspring driving gears and shafts, Z yand i, with a series of clutch mechanisms thereon, and gears connecting shaft t and axle C, and the clutch Dl and its clutch shipping mechanism, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with, a suitable supporting-frame,.of shaft Y and a series vof coiled springs and spring-winding wheels thereon, a spring Winding shaft, D, and pinions and clutch mechanisms thereon for winding up the springs, and a train of spring driving gears and shafts, Z and i, with a series of clutch mechanisms thereon, gears connecting shaft t and axle C, clutch D2, and its clutch shipping mechanism, with the sprocket Wheels, chains, and gears for winding up the springs by the motion of the car or mechanism, substantially as setforth.

4. The combination, with shafts Y and Z, of spring-winding wheel R and its block X,

IOO

IIO

having in its cavit y ratohetwheel w and spri ngpaWl a, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with spring Winding Wheel R, having a curved slot, d, and its Spring, of pivoted pawl b, pin c, and block X, provided with notches or ratchet-teeth e, substantially as set fort-h.

6. The combination, with the spring-Winding Wheel having the pin A3, pivoted lever B3, Cord C3, jointed lever D3, having spring F3, spring E3, and toothed Wheel H3, with a. dial and pointer, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the Spring-winding wheel having the pin A, pivoted lever B, oord C. jointed lever D3, having spring F3, spring E, toothed Wheel H3, with a dial and pointer, and spring-slide K, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

'WILLIAM M. VOODVARD.

VitneSSes:

MARCUS S. HOPKINS, J. H. CURRY. 

